The Dress & The Bar

Oh what a day the soon-to-be Stampers have had!

I finally spoke to Jace. Here is the first day update: He said the test went fairly well and could have been a lot worse. He said he was exhausted which is to be expected. He didn't sleep that good simply because it takes him a couple of nights to sleep good at a hotel. The conference room is freezing cold and they sit two at a table. There are about 250 people taking the exam in the room with him. He has his ear plugs in so the sound of keyboard keys doesn't distract him. The girl next to him is taking the Bar for the third time. Bless her heart. He said that him and Kennedy had peanut butter crackers for breakfast and lunch. Elizabeth, Kennedy's fiancé, packed snacks for them and this fiancé is so grateful! Jace tried to watch how much he drank because it was such an ordeal to go to the bathroom. One day down, one to go!

While he was taking the exam, I skipped over to Ruth's Bridal and had my final fitting. Y'all!!! I know I sound like every bride but the dress. Oh the dress. It is beautiful, classy, timeless, comfortable, and would please a Southern Belle! When I had everything on, I might have gotten a few goose bumps! I can't wait to get back into the dress.

Mom will be here tomorrow around lunch and we have a list of little things to get done.

Is this reality?????

4 days!!!!

Wedding Week

Six days. Six days separates me from being a fiancé and being a wife. 6 days to make sure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. Fifteen months of planning, 8 years or hoping, and 26 years of dreaming is about to become reality. Needless to say I am a ball of emotion. Jace and I feel like all of this is so surreal and we can't believe we are getting married. All we have ever known is to be apart. That ends in six days. What is it like to be with the person you love the most each and every day? We don't know.

This week is going to be CRAZY! This is what the next six days look like for us. Tomorrow Jace leaves for Nashville and will make a pit stop at Jay's. By Monday night, Jace will arrive in Nashville. Tuesday I go for my final fitting of my dress. When I am at my fitting, Jace will be taking the essay portion of the Bar. The exam begins at 9 AM and lasts for  six hours. Wednesday my Mom comes up and Jace will take the multiple choice portion of the exam. Wednesday night we will praise God that the Bar is done and now we will be in full time wedding mode. Thursday Jace picks up tuxes and Mom and I get mani/pedis. I get my ring cleaned this day as well. Also, on Thursday Aunt Karen & Sara come up. Somewhere in there I need to pack for the honeymoon.

Friday is when things really get going. Sara & Aunt Karen will do their thing and make the beautiful arrangements they are known for. They will make those arrangements in Teak's kitchen. The girls will come up and we will go to lunch. Jace and his family should arrive late Friday afternoon. Jace and I are going to sneak away for an hour, at least we hope we can, and visit with each other. (Remember we haven't seen each other since the end of June.) I would like a moment with him and catch up. Then it is off to our rehearsal and our rehearsal dinner.

Saturday things begin at 8 AM with hair and makeup. The guys, and whoever else wants to help, will put tablecloths on tables and cushions on chairs beginning at 10 AM. At 1:30 PM we take first look photos and photos continue until about 4. Ceremony begins at 4:30. By 5 PM I hope to be a married woman and then it is off to the reception!

Y'all all this runs through my mind constantly. I have worn out the notes app on my phone and jot down anything that I don't want to forget; the list has gotten long. When I think about all what has to get done and things I don't want to forget, I get nervous. It is NOT cold feet but more about me forgetting something. It also has to do with the amount of life that we are going through right now. Are we a little stressed? Yes. Are we excited? Yes. Are we ready for the honeymoon? You best believe it!

But before we can walk down the aisle, we have to get through the Bar. One step at a time, one day at time. Wish us luck; we are about to jump on the ride of our lives.

Bachelorette Weekend!

Y'all! I don't know if these words will even do justice to the weekend Lauren, Whitney and I had!!!! It is so rare when just the three of us can get together. Unfortunately, the last time we were together was this past winter so we made sure to maximize all the time we had together. When we do get together the conversation never stops and we never stop eating and we did plenty of eating this weekend!

When the girls arrived we started talking and didn't even sit down. We carried on a whole conversation in the hallway. I will admit that I had a little cry. Lauren asked me how I was feeling and the tears welled up and just wouldn't stop. Again it isn't because I am nervous about the wedding; I am just
so sad to leave Teak and Mom. There is something therapeutic to crying to your best friend. You don't have to explain yourself and they let you get all the cryin' out. After wiping away every bit of my concealer and pulling myself together, we decided to go to lunch.

We ate at Saul Good since I had a gift card and sat and talked and got caught on with everyone. After lunch we returned to Teak's and had a cupcake. The girls bought lemon with raspberry filling cupcakes. They had pink frosting with glitter and were called pucker up! They were delicious. I resisted having two in one sitting. After our afternoon dessert, we ventured to Apple Nails to get mani's/Pedi's.

Now listen, I used to go to Amy at #1 Nail for almost 2 years. Girlfriend and I were close and saw each other once a month. I never went anywhere else. I love Amy but let me tell you that Apple Nails was phenomenal. We sat in the massaging chairs and were offered water; then they massaged, lotioned, scrubbed, painted, and pampered us! We had the best time. Bless it but Lauren had NEVER had a mani or pedi. Child was in Heaven! I think there came a moment when neither of us said a word. We were so relaxed and what girl doesn't like a little pampering?

After we were completely dried and feeling like Jell-O, we made our way back to Teak's and visited with her. We didn't have much down time before our appointment at Phil Dunn's cooking school. Y'all, I can pin recipes all day long on Pinterest and thumb through Taste of Home all day. I can talk a good talk but I have very little kitchen experience. I scare Jace when I slice something. He can't even look! So I thought the cooking class would be fun and educational. Now what bride says they want an educational bachelorette party? This girl! Y'all!!!!!!!! We had the absolute best time!

Phil's cooking school is located in a kitchen and bath store. Whit, Lauren, and I drooled over the beautiful cabinets, hardware, sinks, tile, granite, and hidden nooks in the cabinetry. Phil had everything set up for us, we put on our aprons, and got to work. We poured ourselves a glass of wine and let Phil tell us the menu. For appetizers, we had tiropites which is feta cheese mixed with egg yolk wrapped in filo dough. Then we had a ceasar salad with freshly made ceasar dressing. Our main course was chicken piccata and a gruyere cheese soufflé. We finished the evening with crème brulee. My belly was hurting by the time we left. Everything was so good and fresh. Phil made everything look so easy and he gave some of the greatest tips (I really needed to write them all down!)

Here are the girls and I using the blow torch!

Phil showing us how to work the blow torch

Caramelizing the sugar

Whit doing her thing

Lauren looks like a pro

Does this not look evil? I was so excited to get that puppy in my hands!

Getting a hang of it

My finished product

My Matrons!

 

After dinner, we ventured through campus for old times sake. The girls hadn't seen all the changes on campus and were amazed just how much had changed in the few years we have been out. Then we went back to Teak's and stayed up until almost midnight talking and laughing. I am so thankful these two married before us because I could ask them all sorts of questions and they were there with answers.

 

These two showered me with love this weekend. I am beyond thankful for these two precious girls. I think all three of us would go back to sophomore year in college, living in Blanding 1, eating at the Commons and relive what if felt like to live just across the hall from one another. Together we have survived school, gotten married, Whitney has had baby and told Lauren and I everything about motherhood, had first jobs, left first jobs, and gone through everyday life together. I only wish we could be together more often but even when life is busy and weeks have gone by, we know each other is a phone call away and we will pick up right where we left off.

 

Whit & Lauren--I love you! Thanks for standing by my side on the biggest day of our lives! See you in 13 days! 

One last hurrah

This Friday night Teak and I are going out to dinner for one last hurrah together before the wedding and the move. I am looking forward to a great dinner with my Teak but I am also dreading it. This last hurrah means that I am leaving soon. Leaving her. I am ready to walk down the aisle but I also want time to slow down. I am not ready to leave her yet.

 

Teak and I have such a deep and meaningful relationship and it has only gotten stronger since I moved to Lexington. In college, I stopped by her house every Sunday for church, lunch, and laundry. The past four years, I have lived with her and shared every day with her. I am incredibly lucky to have spent so much time with my grandmother. However, there have been times when I have wanted my own apartment but those moments only last a little while.

 

I think the thing I will miss the most about living with Teak is her advice. When I am upset or need to talk about something, Teak is there. She has experience with girls and has gone through many things which makes her the best person to seek advice from.

 

Teak is in great health and can do everything for herself. However, I worry about when I am not here. I worry about who will take care of little projects for her, take things to the basement for her, help her with the computer and TV. I will worry that she will be ok. I have been the eyes and ears for my Mom and aunts for years now and with me leaving, who will keep an eye out? It is these things that make it so difficult to leave her.

 

I can not wait to marry Jace. The day has finally arrived and I get to marry my best friend. Eight years I have waited for this. Eight years we have waited for this. However, marrying and moving means leaving the Teak. I know she wants us to get married and she is excited for us. She has raised 3 girls and knows that all kiddos need to leave the nest. But it is me who is having such a hard time leaving her, even though I know she will be fine. She will stay busy with church, bridge, exercise, and eating lunch with the ladies. She will be fine. It is me who is a wreck.

 

 

Jace has been amazing through all of my emotions. Tears do not scare him away. When we land in Cincinnati after the honeymoon, our first stop is Teak's and it is then that I have to say the official good bye. Jace has told me countless times that I can take as long as I need. He knows there will be tears and lots of them. I will cry the whole way down the BG, WK, 1-24, and Purchase Parkway. Even though I will see Teak 8 weeks after the wedding for Ross and Beth's wedding, it will be the longest I have been away from her in years. I keep telling myself that she will be fine. We will only be gone for 9 months and after that we hope to be so much closer to KY.

 

 

I am incredibly blessed to have the Teak. She is the best. I know not everyone has such a close relationship like we do. It is more than granddaughter/grandmother. I don't think there are adequate words to describe what we have; it is such an intense love.

Wedding Update

As of today we are exactly 4 weeks away from the wedding. It is crazy to think that our wedding is so close. I told Jace this morning that its surreal that we are about to walk down the aisle and leave as husband and wife. He told me that reality won't hit until it is all over with and I think he is right.

I love doing wedding update posts because I always begin and think that we haven't accomplished too much but then I start writing and remembering and we have been busier than I thought. So here is what I/we have been up to...

Jace is the best help and together we knocked out about 80 bridal shower thank you cards in five days. Our mommas raised us to write meaningful and timely thank you cards and I think we made them proud. People remember when they don't receive a thank you card and we were NOT going to be those people. We have had a few more gifts trickle in and we have stayed on top on them. As of right now we are caught up on thank you cards! Now the tricky part is deciding what gifts are coming to Florida and what, unfortunately, has to stay in Kentucky.

One thing that has turned out to be meticulous and somewhat time consuming is our wedding program. The border of the program matches our invitation and thank you cards. Not that anyone will notice but as the bride, I do. The wording and font required lots of decisions. In terms of font, we wanted something that is readable but also pretty. We went back and forth on proofs three times but I think we are finally finished with edits and it should go to print soon. Once they come in, I will tie double face satin ivory ribbon on each program. I am praying for no hand cramps!

Do y'all remember when I got my glasses? Well, I rely on them all day, every day. I love my glasses and love that I can see so clearly but there was a problem. The problem with my glasses was that I didn't want to wear them at the wedding. I have waited for the moment when those double doors open, my brother escorting me down the aisle, guests standing, the bridal March playing, and me starring at Jace. If anything, the walk will be blurry with tears; not because I can't see. So I invested in contacts and have had them for almost 3 weeks. Things seem to be going good so far with putting them in and taking them out.

Next Friday I am picking up the most important piece of paper: the marriage license. I can forget everything else but that piece of paper. I am ready to have it in my possession and off the to-do list.

Lauren & Whitney both traveled up to Lexington last week and tried on their dresses. When we tried on the sample dress, the dress had pockets. I like pockets on dresses but just not for our wedding. What are they going to carry anyway? When the dresses arrived, the pockets were sown up and I love the dress even more. The girls look GREAT in the dress and it complements both of their skin colors. We are going simple for their jewelry, pearl studs and bracelets. The girls are wearing shoes from Lauren's wedding. Basically, the girls are good to go!

One of the things I am most excited about is having Pink Lou Lou do our makeup and hair. Her talent is out of this world and there is no way I could do what she does. She makes her hair and makeup look effortless and flawless whereas I would need a step by step instruction manual and still not have success. I went to her house the other week and we did the trial run of hair and makeup. I came prepared with plenty of Pinterest pictures and after getting an idea of what I wanted, PLL got started. She applied my makeup with an airbrush which was a first for me. It made my face look flawless and it didn't feel like I had any makeup on. Another first for me, fake eyelashes. Jay's wife, Lisa, had these on at their wedding and it made her eyes look so big and beautiful. It is a simple touch that adds so much to the look. We played around with hair for quite some time. When I left, we had a really good idea of how I want my hair to look like.

Now for non-wedding things, Jace is studying seven days a week for the Bar. Of course the Bar is scary, but he has remained calm and collected throughout this whole process. He is ready for a 'vaca though! That boy is ready for San Fran! When we aren't talking Bar or wedding, we talk about FL. Each time we go home, we take a car load of stuff. Jace has taken a car load of FL things back with him to MS in anticipation of the move. I will bring a TON of stuff home this upcoming weekend. This will probably be the last time I will be home before the wedding so I have load my car down.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we are moving multiple states away simply because I have never done this before. We have all these wonderful new things and we can't take them all with us. We have to look at everything and ask ourselves do we absolutely have to have this? Will we have room for this? For me this is extremely hard since I have never seen our apartment. Our fear is that we will get down there and have too much stuff. I also fear that we will need something and it will be in KY and we will have to buy it.

I think that is everything as of now. This week if you hear something ripping, it is checks from the wedding account. Vendors are getting paid this week!

28 days until Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Our Engagement Party

I couldn't be sad too long about leaving work and my last day at UK because we had a party to get to! My Aunt Karen, Uncle Ev, and sweet Sara hosted the most beautiful outdoor engagement party for Jace and I. They pulled out every stop in the book and it was more than I could imagine. The Falder's have a gorgeous house that is designed for entertaining and provided the perfect spot to celebrate with our guests. It was a night filled with mouth watering food, fireworks, and some of the sweetest people we know.

I was excited for the party for several reasons, one being that Teak and Aunt Mitz came down as well as Lauren & Adam. I was especially excited abut Lauren & Adam's visit since they have never been to God's Country before, nor have they ever been that far west in KY. Lauren & Adam arrived about five minutes before Jace pulled up. Thankfully I was ready because I spent the rest of the time vising with them. Lauren had everyone laughing as usual and it felt great to have my best friend at home.

Hinton's & soon to be Stampers

Something that Lauren and I completely agree on is hair and makeup. We accept our skill level and we can do everyday makeup and hair. But ask us to do something fancy and we crumble. We can only do the everyday look and we are fine with that. It's not like we do fancy things all the time. However, I thought the engagement party was something special that doesn't happen every day so I decided to get my hair did! Janette hooked me up and teased, jacked up, and hair sprayed my hair until wouldn't move--and I loved it. She really did a great job and it made me feel special. What girl doesn't like going to the hair dresser? (Sidenot: when you are at home, in the country, you say hair dresser or beauty shop. When you are in the big city it is appropriately called the salon. Why is that?) I digress.

Before I knew it we all piled into our cars and drove the seven minutes to Aunt Karen's. At the end of the drive way was a sign that said "Katie & Jace" and at the top of the driveway there were signs for parking. Bistro tables with white table cloths, candles, and small arrangements greeted you along with the best appetizer tray of mixed meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Everyone started arriving and it was so fun to greet everyone and immediately everyone felt at home. The weather was cool and comfortable and everyone visited with friends. A couple of times, someone would go inside and the most glorious smell would come from the kitchen. As if wafted through the air, everyone's mouth watered and we looked at each other asking if they smelt it too! The combination of garlic and who knows what else was enough to make you run to the dinner table.

Speaking of the dinner table, look at this set up!

View from top of deck, looking down on the patio

 

This picture doesn't do it justice nor will my words to describe it. The tables were set up in family style and at each place setting was a colored tea towel. Sitting on top of the tea towel was your dinner plate and clear salad plate. Aunt Karen mixed her china and flatware, which I had never seen before and it was timeless and classic. Sara did her thing and created the prettiest arrangements. Sister can make an arrangement! I just can't tell you how pretty it was. So much time and effort went into everything and I wish the picture did it justice.

Now, let's talk about food! Casey and his wife Vickie fixed us a meal that puts Olive Garden to shame. The salad was scrumptious. Then the bread. Oh the bread. Buttery, garlic, and it had some type of herb. I don't even want to tell you how many servings of bread I had and quite frankly I don't care because it was that good! Next came the fettuccine Alfredo. Have I told you how much I love pasta? It took everything in Lauren Hinton and me to not get the fingers out and start licking! Then the chicken piccata. So tender, so juicy, so flavorful. Aunt Karen later revealed she dipped her bread in the au jus of the chicken and I only wished I would have thought of that! For dessert we had cookies and sorbet. Y'all how am I supposed to fit in a wedding dress when this kind of food is served. Honey, I will just have to suck it in that day because I don't pass up food like that!

One of the most touching moments came when Aunt Karen gave a speech/toast to Jace and I. Aunt Karen and I couldn't look at each other because we were already crying. I was so humbled by what she had done for Jace and I that night but also knowing how close we are and how much she has been there for me, Ross, and Mom was too much. Even though Aunt Karen & Uncle Ev are not blood family, they are family. They are my Mayfield Aunt & Uncle. Sara, Drew, Ross, and I grew up together, celebrated holidays together, and were there for each other in life's big moments. It was incredibly touching to have Aunt Karen do this for us and I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Then Jay got up and said a speech/toast and it was so sweet. I think Jay and Lisa are more excited about our marriage than Jace and I and Jace and I are really excited! Jay is beside himself to be a best man. He has been so supportive of our relationship and has been there for Jace throughout the wedding process. Jay only wants the best for Jace and I and we are honored to have him in our wedding party. We can't wait to get to TN and spend more time with him and Lisa.

Naturally, after Aunt Karen & Jay spoke, I got up and said a few words. My speech is sorta a blur because I didn't have anything prepared. What I do remember is thanking Aunt Mitz for coming as well as Lauren & Adam but didn't thank the rest of our guests for coming or for Aunt Karen for hosting! EEK! I remember asking our guests to pray for me as move and live in 600 sq. ft.! I asked them to pray for me as I marry a man who loves ESPN. I was sniffling pretty good at this point and said out loud, "how are we ever going to make it through the rehearsal dinner if I am acting like this now?!"

After the tears were dried and dinner was done, it was almost time for fireworks. I can't tell you how much I love fireworks! I am a clapper, screamer, and hoop and holler the whole time. Ross went by the pond and launched the off. We had a great show and I loved every minute of it.

Kendra Mason took photos throughout the night and I can't wait to see what she captured. I told her to do her thing and just capture the evening. I am so thankful I thought about a photographer because it allowed me to visit with everyone and not be behind a lens. I will post pictures once I get the file!

It truly was the most perfect night. We were surrounded by close friends, ate wonderful food, had beautiful arrangements and were surrounded by love. Aunt Karen, Uncle Ev, and Sara I thank you for your love, support, and encouragement as Jace and I enter into marriage. Thank you for hosting a beautiful party and showering Jace and I with so much love. I love you dearly!

Last Day

Last Friday was my official last day at UK and with the Cooperative Extension Service. Being on campus since 2005 and eight wonderful years later made leaving a little harder than I thought. At first I was excited to know that all of my assignments were complete, office cleaned, and that the next day would be our engagement party. However, as the day ticked by my heart got heavier and heavier with the thought of leaving my home away from home.

I parked in the dreaded parking garage, walked the 7 minute hike to my office, punched in my door code, and got settled in at my office. After I checked email, I headed to the main office and started saying my goodbyes. The people in the main office have answered thousands of crazy questions from me, fixed my IT problems, informed me about procedures, shared creamer for my coffee, along with countless other things. I had to laugh because in between saying goodbyes, Miss Jewel made sure I worked on my last day. She needed a copy of a food invoice for a meeting and needed names of who attended the meeting.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Nicole and I decided to take an early lunch and head to one of our favorite spots, Local Taco. The weather couldn't have been better and we relaxed in the sunshine during lunch. As if the day couldn't have been more enjoyable, when we were walking back on campus UK Dining Services was giving out free ice cream. You know I took one and was pumped to find something free on UK's campus!

When the day was over, I got my wish. All I wanted to do on my last day was to walk away quietly with no fuss. I got to turn off the lights and shut the door. Just me. No one else was around. But it was when I was walking to my car that the magnitude of the day really hit. I wouldn't be walking down the same sidewalk or hallway anymore. I had walked that hallway, sidewalk,
 and campus for that matter as a student and employee. Now I was neither of those; instead I am one proud alum!

As cliché as it sounds, I had "My Old Kentucky Home" stuck in my head when I was walking to my car. The line, "then my old Kentucky home good night" had me crying in nothing flat. Those words just rung so true for me that day. I am not going to lie, I had a hard time turning they key to the ignition and pulling away. I really didn't want to leave even though I was in the parking garage. I know that I will be back on campus and I will walk that sidewalk and hallway again, but it will be different. It won't be the same like it has been for the past 8 years. It is so exciting to be starting this new chapter of life and to be Jace's wife, but it was hard to close my UK chapter.

I am thankful for the past eight years at UK. I have found great friends, earned two degrees, and started my professional career. I had done things I never thought I would do, I have met people I would have never met, and had fun along the way. It was a great ride but it is time to get off this train and onto the next. Only this time, this train is headed to the swamp...